Why Do Babies Have Back Hair?

Babies are either born with either a lot of hair on their heads or scanty hair. But some babies are born with hair on their backs as well and that often worries new parents. This body hair also called lanugo is very fine hair sometimes present on a newborn baby’s body at birth. 

It is soft, delicate and finer than adult body hair and usually covers the baby by around week 20 during pregnancy.  If you’ve been wondering why babies have back hair, here’s the answer.

What Is The Purpose Of Baby’s Back Hair?

• The lanugo or body hair is a baby’s first hair. The reason for a newborn’s back hair is to protect the baby’s tender and delicate skin from the amniotic fluid in the mother’s womb. 
• It keeps the baby warm in the uterus.
• It helps the baby grow as the lanugo hair sends vibrations to the baby’s sensory receptors when it moves and these receptors stimulate the baby’s growth. Once the lanugo falls off the growth of the baby also slows down.
• It also helps to provide lubrication for birth by helping the vernix caseosa (waxy white substance) to stick to the skin.

What Does Lanugo Look Like?

A baby’s back hair or lanugo can either be dark or white and in some cases, it may not have any colour at all. It can usually be seen on the baby’s shoulders, cheeks, arms, forehead, and back. 

When Does A Baby’s Back Hair Shed?

Usually, body hair or lanugo is shed around seven to eight months after gestation during the third trimester, in some newborns, body hair is present even after they are born. This is especially common in babies born prematurely. But don’t be alarmed if your full-term baby still has body hair, it is nothing to worry about.

It will disappear within the first two months after a baby is born. It is not advisable to scrub or try and get rid of the baby’s body hair. Be gentle when you bathe your baby or else gently wipe their body with natural baby wipes.

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Here’s What You Need To Keep In Mind If Your Baby Has Back Hair

The first thing you need to do if your newborn has back hair is to be patient and not worry. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind.

• You can gently massage the area of skin that has hair with a natural baby massage oil but be careful not to do it roughly to avoid damaging the baby’s skin.
• Do not try and remove the hair by using hair removers as these are not safe for a baby’s tender skin. 

If your baby is over two months and still has body hair, it is advisable to check with your doctor to rule out any other medical issues.

Cover image source: dailyrecord.co.uk